TREATMENT ON THE ACHIMENES. 



Cut No. 1. 



(B) has both pair of wings transparent, yellow markings on the thorax, and collar 

 and narrow rings on the abdomen. 

 Both are of a wasp-like appearance. 

 To witness the transformation, af- 

 fords food for contemplation, and 

 imparts a useful lesson. 



The larva of this beautiful but 

 pernicious insect, is a naked grub, 

 found imbedded in the trunk and 

 roots of the peach and other allied 

 trees, which it often girdles and de- 

 stroys ; hence its specific name exi- 

 tiosa, given by Mr. Say, who first 

 described it in "Vol. III. Joum. 

 Acad. Nat. Set., Philadelphia. It 



iEgeria exitiosa. — Say. 



has six pectoral, eight ventral, and two anal feet; sixteen altogether. Fig. 1 is 

 the cocoon and chrysalis after the insect has made its exit. Fig. 2, the grub, or 

 larva. The spurred tiffia, and male (B) and female (A) heads, are also figured. 



Dr. Harris, in his valuable " Treatise on the Insects of New England injurious 

 to Yegetation," recommends the following remedy : — 



" Remove the earth around the base of the tree ; crush and destroy the cocoons 

 and borers which may be found in it and under the bark ; cover the wounded 

 parts with the common clay composition, and surround the trunk with a strip of 

 sheathing paper eight or nine inches wide, which should extend two inches below 

 the level of the soil, and be secured with strings of matting above. Fresh mortar 

 should then be placed around the root, so as to confine the paper, and prevent 

 access beneath it ; and the remaining cavity may be filled with new or unexhausted 

 loam. The operation should be performed in the spring, or during the month of 

 June. In winter, the strings may be removed, and, the following spring, the trees 

 should again be examined for any borers that may have escaped search before, and 

 the protecting applications should be renewed." Coal-ashes, placed around the 

 trunks, in the cavities, instead of mortar, is found useful, and also recommended. 



On examining the gummy exudation at the base of a young peach-tree, I found 

 maggot-like white worms imbedded in the bark. Fig. 1, natural size. Under 

 the lens. Fig. 2. It has a pearly-white, trans- 

 parent color ; along the back, an opaque, white 

 line. The first three rings have faint ochrous 

 markings ; the head is of a long, rounded, cone- 

 like shape ; jaws, short, but strong ; no signs of 

 legs. There is a small black bug often found, 

 in spring, among the roots of peach and other fruit-trees ; a species of Saperda, 

 perhaps. The larvte are also borers, but I am not certain that the above is the 

 larva, from want of sufficient evidence. 



Cut No. 2. 



TREATMENT OF THE ACHIMENES. 



BY RICHARD REES, GARDENER TO LEWIS ELLSWORTH & CO., NAPIERSVILLE, ILL. 



I WOULD offer a few remarks on the cultivation of this most beautiful plant (the 

 Achimenes), of which there are many sorts, viz : Patens coccinea. Rosea grandi- 

 flora, Longiflora, &c. To grow them to perfection, it will be necessary to prepare 

 ace suitable for their reception ; those who have not the convenience of a hot 



